The playground has been designed to be immersive, with large structures inspired by dinosaur forms and a play area like a paleontological dig site, intended to spark curiosity and encourage imaginative play and discovery.
The theme was inspired by Sir Joseph Paxton’s original design for Crystal Palace Park 170 years ago, which was intended as a ‘journey through time’ from prehistory. It is famous in particular for its Geological Court, home to the world-famous dinosaur sculptures – an early attempt to recreate prehistoric creatures.
The play area was shaped through a co-designed process with local children and families, through a series of community events in the park, along with art and play workshops. This has seen the children’s favourite dinosaurs in the workshops: megalosaurus, hylaeosaurus and iguanodon being woven into key playground features. These include a giant hylaeosaurus skull, which encourages children to climb and slide through the beast’s open jaws.
Other elements include an embankment carved to imitate dinosaur claw marks and dinosaur-spine-inspired structures encouraging climbing, swinging, sliding and balancing. Meanwhile , ‘paleo-planting’ surrounding the space draws on prehistoric plant species to frame the play area, offering opportunities to learn about plant evolution. Inclusive and accessible features ensure that children of all abilities can explore and enjoy the playground.
The playground is part of Bromley Council’s larger regeneration plan for the park, which is being co-delivered with Crystal Palace Park Trust. The bespoke play structures have been provided by PlayEquip and the play area constructed by Maylim.
HTA Design was given the go-ahead for the £17.5 million plans to overhaul the south London park in August 2024, after winning a competition run by the council in 2023. The Grade II*-listed park upgrades includes key sites such as the Grade II-listed Italian Terraces, the Grade II-listed Paxton Bust, as well as the unique dinosaur sculptures and lakes.
In addition to the dinosaur-themed play area, proposals are introducing a new information centre, a maintenance building, accessibility improvements and a feature entrance at Penge Gate. Landscape improvements feature new meadows, planting and wildlife-friendly shrubbery. Sustainable water management will be integrated within the landscape through sculpted swales and rain gardens.
This is just the first phase of a wider £52 million improvement plan.
Architect’s view
The new play area continues Paxton’s vision for the park as a destination for education and entertainment. Co-designed with the local community and delivered by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust, it enriches the park’s pre-historic narrative and encourages children to discover and interpret the play structures using their own imagination.
Natalia Roussou, landscape design director, HTA Design
Clients’ view
It was wonderful to see young adventurers already exploring this incredible new playground. Just as the park itself, which I have fond personal memories of visiting as a child, is a blend of heritage and leisure spaces, this playground encourages learning at the same time as being a welcoming and accessible place for fun. The playground forms part of our extensive regeneration plan being delivered to secure the future of Crystal Palace Park, for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.
Councillor Jonathan Andrews, Mayor of Bromley
We are thrilled to have opened the gates to the Dinosaur Playground this spring, ahead of the regeneration works completing in the summer. The world-famous Crystal Palace Dinosaurs have been inspiring and delighting visitors to this park for over 170 years and undoubtedly this unique playground will inspire a whole new generation of young visitors (and their adults!)
Victoria Pinnington, chief executive, Crystal Palace Park Trust
Thanks to National Lottery players, we are absolutely delighted to see the Dinosaur Playground roaring to life. This vibrant new space captures the imagination, celebrates the park’s extraordinary heritage and opens up even more opportunities for families to explore, learn and play together. It’s fantastic to witness such an exciting milestone in the wider regeneration of Crystal Palace Park – a project that’s creating lasting benefits for the community and ensuring this remarkable historic landscape continues to inspire visitors of all ages for many years to come.
Stuart McLeod, director of London and the south, The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Project data
Location London SE19
Start on site May 2025
Completion March 2026 (play area)
Gross external area 2500m2
Form of contract Traditional
Construction cost Undisclosed
Lead consultant and landscape architect HTA Design
Client London Borough of Bromley in partnership with Crystal Palace Park Trust
Main contractor Maylim Play Specialist (play area), PlayEquip (play structures)